Method Drift Legend Denied Entry Into the US for Competitors

One of many foremost names in Method Drift, Daigo Saito, was lately denied entry into the US after trying to legally enter the nation for a contest. Following a 10-year absence from the game, Saito deliberate to make his return to Method Drift Stateside, however was despatched dwelling by US Immigration.

Saito posted a abstract of the incident on his Instagram web page, noting particularly that he was “not in a position to enter the US,” saying that he was “deported.” You may learn the total publish beneath:

Saito says that he left his home on June 26, 2025, for a 12-hour flight to the US and was instantly met by immigration upon touchdown. Authorities took him into a non-public room earlier than telling the racer that he was not allowed entry into the nation along with his present Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).

Saito admits fault for “not understanding the ESTA Visa program,” however he says that he believed he was lined for competitors below his present Visa.

Authorities then booked Saito on a flight to Amsterdam—”the exact opposite means I got here from,” he says—after he reportedly supplied to pay his means for a direct flight from Minneapolis to Japan, which was met with hostility. He says:

‘They beautiful a lot requested who the hell do I feel I’m and threatened me, both they are going to cuff me and throw me in jail or shut up and get on the flight to Amsterdam… just about handled as a legal.’

We have reached out to Gazoo Racing for an announcement.